Neither Seachtain na Gaelige nor St. Patrick’s Day are what they promise time wise. Seachtain na Gaelige is actually 2 weeks long (5th – 17th March this year) and St. Patrick’s Day festivities have been turned into a St. Patrick’s Festivals around the country.
Seachtain na Gaelige is, simply put, a celebration of Irishness through the medium of Irish language. it includes music events, conversation evenings, table quizzes, different workshops and more. The events are organized all around the country by local councils, schools, libraries and other cultural bodies. For a full listing check their website. Another thing we get every year for Seachtain na Gaelige is a music CD containing rerecorded Irish pop songs, that were originally recorded in English – Ceol 2010 this year.
St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin starts on February 12th March with funfairs for children and music and comedy gigs for adults. But there is much more than just those, with all events culminating with the big St. Patrick’s Day parade on Wednesday 17th, starting at 12 noon from Parnell Square.
Limerick is organizing the second biggest parade in Ireland, or that’s what they’re promising! It has to be checked out – starting at 12 noon and going down O’Connell Street. Limerick also has it’s famous Band Parade – the Limerick International Band Competition, taking place on Sunday 14th March at 12 noon, same location as the parade.
Both Cork and Galway have cultural events scheduled from Saturday 13th all the way to the big parade day. In Galway the parade starts at 12:30 on Dominic Street, in Cork a bit later at 1 pm from South Mall.
Welcome!